The Patriots filled the final spot on their 53-man roster with another tight end on Tuesday.
Four-year veteran Matthew Mulligan was signed by the Patriots, adding a fourth tight end to the roster ahead of this weekend’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Mulligan, 28, went undrafted out of Maine in 2008 but played three seasons with the New York Jets (2009-11) before spending the 2012 season with the St. Louis Rams.
Mulligan spent the offseason and training camp competing for a backup tight end spot with the Green Bay Packers. He was among the Packers’ final cuts on Aug. 31. He has played in 50 NFL games throughout his career, catching 14 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. Mulligan played in all 16 games with the Rams last season, catching eight passes for 84 yards and one score. With Rob Gronkowski‘s status still uncertain for Sunday’s game, Mulligan adds some needed depth behind Michael Hoomanawanui and Zach Sudfeld at the tight end position.
The Patriots also signed two players, a pair of offensive tackles, to the practice squad on Tuesday. Jordan Devey and R.J. Dill both went undrafted earlier this year, spending camp with the Ravens and Jaguars, respectively, before being released at the roster deadline.
Devey, 25, is a 6-foot-6, 317-pound tackle who played two seasons at Memphis after spending two seasons at Snow College in Utah. He played both guard and tackle in 24 games with the Tigers. Dill, 23, is a 6-foot-6, 316-pound tackle who spent three seasons at Maryland before transferring to Rutgers to finish his college career.
The Patriots now have the maximum eight players on their practice squad.
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